orea15

Isn't it hilarious (and pathetic) that your aunt somehow made it all about HER! It's not hard to tell where the center of her universe is! Orea

This is not an arbitrary rule your surgeon made up to torture you! The purpose of the liquids is to keep your stomach from having to churn solid food, so the stitches have time to heal, and the scar tissue can form, that will hold your band in place. You've invested time, effort and possibly your own money for this very important procedure. Now is the time to back it up and do your best to adhere to your surgeon's orders. It's for your own good. Orea

I admit I haven't looked at Lean Cuisines recently, but I am guessing they may have some things in them that aren't band compatible, like Pasta or potatoes, or dried out meats. I think you would be better off cooking for yourself in small quantity. That way you can stick to the recommended Lean Protein and produce based meals. Do you have access to a refrigerator freezer? I assume so, since you can store the Lean Cuisines. It may be small,but it could be very useful. You could freeze extra helpings of things you make, in ice cube trays and just thaw a couple of cubes of this and that for a meal. Or you could store some frozen shrimp and thaw a few for a yummy, diet friendly start to a meal. I know it's not much fun cooking for one, but you are worth the effort! Good luck! Orea

As far as I understand it, all they want to know is that you are rational, you understand the surgery, its risks and benefits, and you are ready and willing to make the necessary changes in your life. I thought this was a little silly until I heard about the person who went home after surgery and ate pizza the next day! Result: emergency removal of the band. (And no, they won't put another one in!) This is a true story I heard from a fill nurse. Orea.

As frustrating as it is, I have come to the conclusion that the supervised diet, etc., is a good thing. I chose to do the 3 month intensive as prescribed by Aetna. I've had some helpful diet counseling from some nutritionists, a four hour class about what to expect and what to do before, during, and after surgery. I've attended some exercise classes with bariatric trained leaders. It has all been valuable. I feel very ready to move forward and get this done. While I've been waiting, I've dropped 37 pounds since January, 24 of which came off since my first dietician session in early March. I was already doing a lot of things right, but she helped me tweak it, and the results have been great. I looked at it like this: Sure, I'd like my band yesterday, but in the meantime, I can do my best to lose 1-2 pounds per week just as if I were already banded. And I have most of my good habits in place in preparation for the band. My paperwork has been submitted, and I'm waiting for news. This is the hardest part! Orea

I brought my husband, but he didn't exactly pay attention.

I've chosen to tell a number of friends I trust, and my sister and my kids. What got me was, a few weeks ago, my husband was on the phone in a rare call to his mother, and suddenly I heard him say, "By the way, Orea's working to get lap band surgery!" I couldn't believe my ears. Now everyone on his side of the family will know. Let's just say I wasn't planning to put it in my bleeping Christmas letter this year! So, with great restraint I later asked, "Did it ever occur to you to ask me before you told your mom about my surgery?" He replied," Well, I did get a little twinge right before I opened my mouth." Duh. I told him I never blab his personal medical information to my friends -- because he meets them from time to time. (Such as ED!) I've been married to him for 34 years and his idiocy still amazes me. I love him dearly, but sometimes I'd just like to whack him upside the head with a 2 x 4! I have a brother with whom I am not close. He actually called me recently and left a voice mail. He said he'd like to know what's going on with me and my life. I don't have a clue as to what to say. I don't want to tell him about my female troubles. I don't particularly want to tell him about the band surgery I hope to have this summer. How can I say, I'm really busy these days but I don't want to tell you why! LOL

Great! It is greedy and unscrupulous people like this who are inflating our health care costs even more.

That is fraud. You should tell your insurance company.

What a ripoff! He should be reported for irresponsible practice. :party: At least my person cared enough to really get to know me before she was ready to okay me.

There's a good reason for the psych screening. I heard a true story from a health care professional about a patient who ate pizza a day after being banded! The result was emergency surgery to remove the band. And no, they wouldn't reinstall one later. Some people can't or won't follow directions. This is an extreme example, but the results can be serious. As irritating as it is to have to jump through all of these hoops, I've come to appreciate how much better prepared I am now as a result of the waiting period. I have a thorough idea of what I need to do and I am practicing many of the skills now. I'm really ready for the next step. (Paperwork will be submitted soon!)

I really like my psychologist, too. I'm covered for 20 visits, so I'm continuing to see her at least for a while. She says it's up to me. So far I've been finding it quite valuable. Orea

That's great to hear! :biggrin:

I've been saving a file of suggestions for when my date comes up. Not all may apply to you, but here they are: Are you staying overnight? Comfy jama's, loose fitting chapstick bottled Water to sip on, I like my flavored with crystal light packets or celestial seasonings zinger packets slip on shoes so you don't have to bend over to put them on or tie them I wore my jamas home some people suggest a pillow for the ride home to hold across one's stomach gas-x I didn't stay overnight, I think I was only there for about 3 hours but I wore loose sweats and slippers. After the surgery mu husband helped me back into my sweats and slipped my feet in my slippers and headed back to the hotel. I did surgery in a different city from where I lived and then flew home the following day, also in my sweats and slippers. Chap-stick! Comfy clothes, a pillow to hold against your abdomen. Easy slip on shoes. Some gas-x, make sure you have your pain prescription filled(mine gave it to me before hand). A comfy chair to get in when you get home, as laying down might be hard(it was for me, the first 3 days.) Lots of broth at home to sip on, and water(I got so sick of sweet stuff). Though popsicles will become your new friend the first few weeks. I am drawing a blank, I am sure others will remember more. I also took along some of those thermal things that become warm when they're exposed to air. I got the kind for the back of the neck that have adhesive so they stick to the skin. When I had shoulder pain, I stuck one of those over the aching place, and it allowed me more freedom that a heating pad. I could go anywhere with my "heating pad" on my shoulder. I also took my Magic Bullet, a mug, a spoon, and a bowl so I could fix myselfsoup at the motel. There was a microwave in the room. I'd make sure they have one in the room where you stay. Good luck! Orea

I had a CT urogram a few months back and it was a piece of cake. Let us know how it goes. Good luck! Orea

Thanks for sharing your story. Nausea is one of the things that concerns me, as I tend to have a touchy stomach. I'm just in the process of getting all the paperwork in order to submit to the insurance company. I'm hoping for a July date. Best wishes for your continued success. :-) Orea

Glad to hear it went well for you. I find I'm glad to have made the contact with my psych, just in case stuff comes up as the weight comes off. It's nice to have some backup.

Mine saw me for about 3 one hour sessions. We just talked. She is working on the report now. We're still meeting and discussing the changes in store as I drop the weight. I'm finding it valuable.

Crockpot Turkey Meatloaf Make this delicious and low fat turkey meatloaf in your crockpot. INGREDIENTS: 2-1/2 lbs. ground turkey 1 onion, finely chopped 2 eggs 1/3 cup milk 2 Tbsp. horseradish 2 Tbsp. chili sauce 1 cup soft breadcrumbs 1/2 tsp. salt dash white pepper 2 gartlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley PREPARATION: In large bowl, combine all ingredients except turkey and mix well. Add turkey and mix gently just until combined. Tear off 2 30" pieces of heavy duty aluminum foil and fold to make two 2"x30" strips. Lay strips in bottom of crockpot in an X pattern, letting the edges hang over the crockpot. Form turkey mixture into a loaf that will fit into the crockpot. Place on top of the foil strips. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 7-8 hours, until meat thermometer registers 170 degrees. Drain off fat as needed during cooking time. Use foil strips to lift meatloaf out of crockpot. Cover and let stand 20 minutes before slicing. 8 servings

pineapple chicken (4 Pts) Recipe By :WEIGHT WATCHER CROCKPOT recipes WITH POINTS Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 6 whole chicken breast halves without skin -- skinned and split 1 dash pepper to taste paprika 20 ounces pineapple chunks in juice -- 1 can tidbits 2 tablespoons dijon mustard 2 tablespoons soy sauce 1 clove garlic -- minced Arrange chicken in bottom of crockpot. Sprinkle with pepper and paprika. In a small bowl, combine drained pineapple tidbits, mustard and soy sauce. Pour over chicken. Add minced garlic. Cover and cook on LOW 7-9 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours. Makes 6 serving. Per Serving: 194 Calories; 2g Fat; 28g Protein; 16g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 68mg Cholesterol; 483mg Sodium.

Garlic chicken (3 Points) Recipe By :WEIGHT WATCHER CROCKPOT recipes WITH POINTS Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00 Categories : Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- 4 skinned chicken breast halves 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons paprika 2 teaspoons lemon pepper 1 large onion -- sliced 10 cloves garlic (about 1 medium) -- un-peeled Mix together salt pepper and paprika. rub all over meat side of chicken breast. place onion in slow cooker. place chicken breast side up on onion. place garlic on chicken. cover and cook on low in slow cooker for about 6 hours or until juices run clear. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 67 Calories; 1g Fat (11.2% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 2817mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fat. NOTES : Serve 4 @ 3 PTS

I make a simple mild chili on the stove that could lend itself to a slow cooker. 1 lb. lean ground turkey (93%) 1 med- lg. onion 1-2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed 1 cup chopped celery 1 green pepper, chopped (any other veggies you want!) 1 or 2 cans kidney Beans, drained and rinsed 1 can corn, drained, optional tomato sauce (lower calorie choice) and/or tomato soup (tastier choice!) chili powder, cumin, etc. to taste Brown and crumble the meat, add the chopped veggies, saute them if you like. Throw in everything else. Simmer for a while. My last batch, a cup had about 260 calories and was very satisfying.

Hi, I'm Orea. I'm working toward getting banded in 2008. We are switching insurance coverage to facilitate this. I've been researching the lap band for quite a while now, and it looks like the right move for me. I'm looking forward to learning even more here.

We'll learn together!

My new insurance company for 2008 has Dr. Elariny in its roster. He would be convenient in terms of location. I'd like to hear your experiences as I make up my mind. Thanks for your help! Orea